NFL notes: Browns pass on Jeff Garcia’s offer

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Quarterback Jeff Garcia last threw a pass in the NFL in the 2008 season.

Associated press
October 23, 2013

Here’s a new wrinkle in the Browns’ curious quarterback conundrum: Former NFL starter Jeff Garcia called and offered his services.

Garcia, who started 10 games for the Browns in 2004, told a Cleveland radio station Tuesday that he contacted the team and asked for a tryout. The 43-year-old Garcia hasn’t started an NFL game in five years, but he informed the Browns he would love a chance to make their team.

‘‘I actually reached out to the Browns and said, ‘Hey, if you need a guy to come in, work me out, take a look,’ ” Garcia told 92.3 The Fan. ‘‘I don’t know if people want me back in Cleveland, but I'm open to the opportunity.’’

Garcia, who went 3-7 in his stint as a starter in Cleveland, said the Browns declined his offer. Garcia last threw an NFL pass in 2008 for Tampa Bay.

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The Browns have had quarterback issues all season. Starter Brandon Weeden got hurt and was replaced by Brian Hoyer, who won two games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Weeden returned to the starting lineup but has struggled the past two games. He completed just 17 of 42 attempts in Sunday’s 31-13 loss to the Packers.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said Monday that he’s considering a change at QB, and could turn to veteran Jason Campbell this week when the Browns (3-3) visit the Chiefs (7-0). Chudzinski will announce his decision Wednesday.

Vick ‘optimistic’

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, is hopeful he'll be able to play Sunday against the Giants.

Vick was injured in Philadelphia’s first matchup with the Giants, a 36-21 win on Oct. 6. The Eagles have gone 1-1 without him.

‘‘I'm optimistic about it,’’ Vick said after practicing Tuesday. ‘‘I've got a good chance.’’

Nick Foles replaced him just before halftime vs. New York, and threw two touchdowns. He then threw three more touchdowns and ran for another when the Eagles beat the Buccaneers, 31-20, on Oct. 13. But Foles threw for just 80 yards in three quarters before suffering a concussion in a 17-3 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.

Philadelphia (3-4) would turn to rookie Matt Barkley if neither Vick nor Foles can play Sunday. Barkley said that Vick, 33, took all the practice reps with the starting offense on Tuesday. It was the first time since the injury that Vick was in on 11-on-11 drills.

Vick, the all-time leading rusher among NFL quarterbacks (5,858 yards), said he has yet to test out his hamstring.

Foles is in the NFL concussion recovery protocol process and did not practice Tuesday.

For depth, the Eagles signed quarterback G.J. Kinne to their practice squad. Kinne was with the team during the preseason.

Freeman keeps job

Josh Freeman’s debut with the Vikings, a 23-7 loss to the previously winless Giants, was as ragged as could be, a 20-for-53 passing performance that produced no points on offense and raised further questions about how quickly he became the starting quarterback.

Coach Leslie Frazier expressed no day-after regret. Freeman was the right pick to play over Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel, Frazier said, and the job is still his this week.

‘‘If I had to do it over again, I don’t think I'd do it any differently,’’ Frazier said.

More QBs for Rams

St. Louis, which lost quarterback Sam Bradford to a torn ACL on Sunday, will start Kellen Clemens against the Seahawks on Monday. According to CBS Sports, the Rams plan on backing him up with former Browns first-round pick Brady Quinn and, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, former third-stringer Austin Davis, who was cut in August when the Rams decided to only carry two quarterbacks . . . Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, who had offseason surgery on both ankles, returned to practice for the first time since last November, but is not expected to play Sunday against Tampa Bay . . . The Cardinals signed speedster Teddy Williams and intend to use him as a wide receiver. Williams, who didn’t play football in college but was a track standout at Texas-San Antonio, played seven games at cornerback and on special teams last season for the Colts . . . The former agent of Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil was disciplined by the NFLPA for actions that led to the linebacker’s release from the Broncos last March. The NFLPA imposed a six-month suspension of Marty Magid’s certification and levied a $25,000 fine. The committee determined that the ‘‘negligence of Magid’’ contributed to the events that led to the player’s release. Dumervil became a free agent after Magid was late in delivering the paperwork by fax accepting a reduction in salary, and the Broncos had no choice but to release Dumervil, who signed with the Ravens. Dumervil fired Magid after the fax issue.